P H OTO G R A P H BY A N A STAC I A B O H L A N D E R R O U T E 6 6 R AC E WAY • J O L I E T, I L L I N O I S S AT U R DAY, M AY 1 6 T H, 2 0 2 6

A massive fireball erupts behind first-year SCAG Racing driver Will Smith as his Bluebird Turt Top Fuel dragster experiences serious mechanical failure shortly after launching off the starting line during qualifying at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. Though Smith has competed in Top Fuel intermittently for the last few years driving for privateers like Larry Dixon and Luigi Novelli, 2026 marks his first time running the full season. While working through a dream opportunity to race full-time, Smith also battled skin cancer, as he was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue sarcoma shortly before the season began. He’ s now using his platform to urge others to get checked out.

Drag Illustrated

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